Government, private sector collaboration seen driving growth in energy, water sectors

MORE COMPANIES are expected to explore opportunities in the energy and water sectors, global professional services company said, citing the increased coordination between the government and the private sector.

“We’re seeing a lot of growth in the energy space. That’s primarily driven by a good coordination between the government and the private sector,” Lorraine Gomez, operations manager of GHD in the Philippines, told BusinessWorld last week.

The company has seen “great support” from the government in creating an attractive environment for investors.

In 2022, the Department of Energy (DoE) amended the implementing rules and regulations of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 to allow 100% foreign capital in renewable energy projects.

GHD is “a global, multidisciplinary professional services network providing clients with integrated solutions across digital, engineering, environmental, design and construction,” according to its website.

The company caters to different sectors in the Philippines such as water, energy, transportation, property and buildings, and environment.

Ms. Gomez said that GHD has worked with “almost all the private water concessionaires in the Philippines,” especially on masterplans for their water and wastewater services.

Among the trends in the water sector in past decade is harnessing technology to maximize a limited resource, she said.

“Before, we only had conventional technologies to treat water and make them clean for consumption of the community. But now, we have so many technologies around desalination or treating seawater so that we could get that good for drinking,” she added.

In terms of the energy sector, she said that the company has worked with developers in planning and conducting environmental studies for wind and solar farms.

“There’s really growth in the development of wind energy resources,” Ms. Gomez said.

The DoE has awarded a total of 82 offshore wind energy service contracts, with a potential capacity of about 63.36 gigawatts (GW).

At least 10 offshore wind projects with 6.72 GW are expected to generate power by 2028.

“What we foresee is, given the market conditions, there will be growth in offshore wind, as well as floating solar and floating wind projects as well, so we’re very glad to help our clients deliver these major water and energy projects together,” Ms. Gomez said.